PolyU distinguished scholar Prof. Yang Chai receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for revolutionising AI computation

Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been awarded the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in revolutionising artificial intelligence (AI) computation at the sensor level. Each recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship receives funding up to HK$3 million to support their research.

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated Prof. Chai on this prestigious honour, “PolyU scholars are dedicated to world-leading research and innovation. This award not only recognises Prof. Chai’s pioneering work but also highlights PolyU research excellence in the field of AI computing. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to pursue excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.”

Prof. Chai’s research focuses on bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. He has pioneered a disruptive in-sensor computing paradigm that revolutionises AI computation at the sensor level and has actualised this paradigm through hardware implementation for vision sensors. His innovative research on sensory AI contributes to the advancement in machine visions with enhanced image recognition, visual adaptation in extremely dim or bright lighting, and agile perception of dynamic motion.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Prof. Chai said, “I am deeply grateful to the Croucher Foundation for recognising my research in bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. This award is not only an encouragement for me personally, but also a recognition of the PolyU research team. We will continue to pursue innovative research to create a positive impact on society.”

Prof. Chai is a distinguished academic in the field of nanoelectronic devices and emerging computation paradigms. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Nanjing University and his Master’s at Peking University, completing his PhD at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research on in-sensor motion perception was selected as one of the “China Chip10 Sciences”. He also received the 2024 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough in Engineering & Technology, funding from the National Science Fund of China for Distinguished Young Scholars, as well as the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize in the field of AI and Robotics.

***END***